Summer fun in Amish Country

Here are 25 Amish Country destinations you don’t want to miss!

As the second largest tourist destination in Ohio behind Cedar Point, Ohio’s Amish Country is home to the largest Amish population in the world. And there is no time like the summer to enjoy all the region has to offer. As you begin to plan your trip, be sure to include the following “Top 25 Amish Country Destinations” on your list:

After a day of antiquing and cheese sampling with mom and dad, kids need a break and Acres of Fun and Wooster Skateland is just the place. Games and activities include bumper boats, mini golf, go-karts, laser tag, mini bowling, batting cages, bank shot basketball, roller skating, plus a complete arcade and children’s play area. Kids of all ages will keep busy on Acres of Fun’s 10 acres in Wooster. Large groups are welcomed.

Located in Sugarcreek, Ohio, Andreas Furniture has quietly earned a reputation as one of the finest, most complete home furnishing stores and design centers in Ohio. Andreas’ three floors of home furnishings provide what seems to be an endless array of tastefully displayed galleries, fully accessorized as they could appear in your own home. Andreas’ is continually updating its showrooms, being the first in the area to bring you the latest
trends in home furnishing fashions.

In a charming village overlooking Ohio's beautiful Amish country, the brand new Berlin Grande Hotel invites guests to indulge in the luxury of an upscale boutique hotel. It features 78 well-appointed guest rooms with contemporary decor, indoor pool, complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi, and scenic views. The hotel is just a short walk from Berlin shops offering furniture, crafts, and delicious baked goods. The Berlin Grande Hotel -- Urban Style. Warm Welcome.

USDA licensed breeders for over seven years, Berlin Pets offers healthy, pure-bred furry friends for sale to families throughout Ohio. Whether it’s a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or Bichon, each puppy is properly socialized as a group and receives regular veterinary visits to ensure his safety. Berlin Pets, located one mile east of Berlin, is one of the most well respected breeders in Ohio. Check out the puppy selection for yourself at www.berlinpets.com.

Berlin Village Gift Barn & Country Gatherings is the one-stop-shop where you’ll find everything you need to complete your home, garden—or even your wardrobe. Bring in a photo of a room that needs redecorating and their on-site designer will turn your dreams into reality with furniture, art and accessories. Purchase any clothing, jewelry or other boutique items and receive free shipping on your boutique purchase.

Of all the cabinet builders to choose from, what sets Cabinet Specialties apart? In a word: Respect. They respect and appreciate their customers by truly listening to them, and building exactly what they want. Whether remodeling or building new, Cabinet Specialties creates cabinetry for any room to your exact specifications, regardless of the style or finish. Quality, integrity and value are the hallmarks of their workmanship.

Purchase one of Care-N-Share’s beautiful quilts or handcrafted baskets and you won’t just be gaining a unique gift—you’ll be giving back to the community. That’s because Apple Creek’s Care-N-Share sells the work of talented and creative physically challenged artists in the area. Come watch basket weaving, quilt making, or groups of 10-15 can try their hands at making their own baskets. Please schedule tours in advance.

The fine gourmet chocolates and candies at Coblentz Chocolate Company have been delighting area families since 1987 and it’s already a regional legend. Specialties include milk, dark and white chocolate, custom logoed treats, jelly beans, and even sugar-free chocolates. Stop into this candy heaven and watch the chocolate manufacturing process for yourself. Then…on to the free samples! Visit them in Walnut Creek and at their new location in downtown Berlin.

Comfort Inn Dover is one of Choice Hotel’s highest-rated Ohio inns. Conveniently located at the gateway to Amish Country off I-77, the newly remodeled Comfort Inn Dover is the perfect oasis for any weary Amish Country visitor looking to unwind with a nice, relaxing dip in the heated pool and hot tub. Enjoy a free deluxe continental breakfast, free coffee, free local calls and a free newspaper.

Soak in the luxury and romance of one of the newest cottage properties, in Millersburg. Each cottage at Cottages at Garden Gate Get-A-Way features a peninsula fireplace, Roman-style Jacuzzi tub, private kitchenette, and an Amish-made queen bed with pillow-soft mattress. Enjoy views of the countryside from your private porch and indulge in a delectable, homemade snack delivered to your door daily. Plus enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, hot chocolate and microwave popcorn stocked in your kitchen.

Dutchman Hospitality offers delicious home cooking, cozy rooms and plenty of shopping. You’ll find them in four different Ohio locations: Walnut Creek, Plain City, Waynesville and Sugarcreek. Look for their sister location in Middlebury, Indiana. But even with multiple locations, Dutchman Hospitality still does things the old fashioned way, including hand-peeling its own potatoes and fresh fruits. They’ve been welcoming guests to the heart of Amish Country for the past 40 years.

There may be no better way to soak up the beauty of summer than relaxing in a gazebo. Since 1995, Frontier Gazebos in Millersburg has been building high-end gazebos made with superior quality materials. The company’s Amish and Mennonite owners have set the bar for constructing elegant and durable outdoor living products. Frontier can provide the right gazebo for any setting, parks, golf courses, businesses and family backyards.

Join Guggisberg Cheese, originator of the Original Baby Swiss, in celebrating their 60th year of operation by visiting their Millersburg factory and gift shop, which features over 60 varieties of domestic and international cheeses lining the walls alongside authentic Black Forest cuckoo clocks. While you shop, you'll have the opportunity to peer through the glass and watch as the award-winning cheeses are made on-site.

An amazing 26 varieties of pies are made fresh daily at the family-run Hershberger’s Farm & Bakery in Millersburg. Or choose from a large selection of mouth-watering candies, homemade ice creams, jams, noodles and more. As the weather warms, explore Hershberger’s selection of fresh produce and flowers. Enjoy horse-drawn buggy and pony rides, an animal petting area, and say “hi” to Big Ben—the largest horse in Holmes County.

Smucker’s wasn’t always the international brand it is today. At The J.M. Smucker Co. Store & Café, in Orrville, you can explore the company’s humble beginnings in 1897 at the on-site museum, then grab a seat in the café and enjoy wood-fire baked items made with Smucker-brand products. You’re also invited to sample the jams and apple butters and create your own gift baskets.

Kickin’ Back Cabins, Monroe County’s premier luxury cabin rentals, offers you and your family the chance to reconnect with nature without the interruptions of televisions, phones, or videogames. Bring your own horses or your ATVs and take advantage of over 200 acres of riding trails in Beallsville, Ohio. When you finish riding, relax and soak up the natural scenery from the comfort of your own private hot tub.

Kids Collection, in Walnut Creek, is the only store in the area specializing in children’s furniture and toys. Let the kids play and explore in the hands-on store while you shop organic nursery furniture, rockers, and 14 styles of handcrafted cribs and other furniture. Kids Collection offers some of the finest furniture made, utilizing the quality and expertise of Amish handcrafted furniture makers.

“If you dream it, we can build it.” That’s the slogan at Millersburg’s Maple Lane Wood where furniture and custom cabinet visions become realities every day. Carefully hand-crafted by experienced Amish craftsmen, each piece features the highest rated UV finish in the industry so you’ll know your piece is built to last. Freeman Yoder and his family create masterpieces, including kitchen cabinets, wall units, entertainment centers and more.

Your getaway under the Amish Country stars is right off I-77, at Exit 87, at the Ramada Limited in Strasburg. Deluxe golf packages to all of the area’s best courses, free hi-speed wireless, an indoor pool and hot tub, and a free deluxe hot continental breakfast await you. And with State Routes 39, 250 and 62, nearby, you can do a circle tour of all the area’s best Amish Country attractions.

 “The Most Fabulous Swiss in the World” can be found at Orrville’s Shisler’s Cheese House. Make a claim like that, and you really have to back it up. That’s why Shisler’s offers free samples of all their creamy, rich cheeses. Last year they shipped to more than 30 countries around the world. Family owned and operated since 1958, Shisler’s is a highlight destination for visitors to Ohio’s Amish Country.

Inspiration can soon be found at Sol’s Inspirational Showroom in Berlin where guests are inspired as they watch personalized engraving take place. Each personalized piece of wood is custom-made, making it a one-of-a-kind piece. With over 1,000 P. Graham Dunn woodcarvings, home décor products, unique family plaques and gifts for all occasions, Holmes County’s largest inspirational showroom is packed with sentimental sayings and memorable gift items for all ages.

Sugar Valley Meats offers customers what they’ve come to expect: good, old-fashioned, farm-fresh meats and cheeses at old-fashioned prices. Why not shop where the locals shop? Choose from their complete line of old-fashioned smoked meats, including beef, pork and chicken. Be sure to stop by this Sugarcreek shop with a cooler in tow so you can take home some of this locally raised meat for your own family and special guests.

Transform your backyard into a peaceful retreat with Swiss Country Lawn & Craft’s high-quality outdoor furniture and gazebos by LuxCraft, as well as a creative line of children’s outdoor play sets by Play Mor. Many items come in your choice of wood, vinyl, and poly. Located 2 miles west of Sugarcreek, Swiss Country also features a gift shop, offering home décor items, artwork, candles potpourri, wrought iron items, pottery, and more.

Experience the best of Wayne County, August 5- 8. Shop hundreds of sales at the annual, three-day Lincoln Highway Byway Yard Sales event beginning August 5 (www.historicbyway.com). Doylestown and The Village of Creston each hold annual festivals on Friday. Chow down on Saturday at Downtown Orrville’s Rib and Music fest or at Downtown Wooster’s Italian Heritage Festival. To check out a complete list of the weekend’s events, visit the Wayne County Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at www.waynecountycvb.org.

Located in the heart of Amish Country, Zinck’s Inn offers its guests luxury and affordability that might surprise you. Enjoy their legendary hospitality at one of three locations throughout Holmes County. Find all the comforts of home tucked within the calm stillness of the countryside. This family-owned and operated inn is within walking distance to all of your favorite Amish shops and cafes.